Best Used Cars For First Time Drivers In 2018

Ford For many young people and their parents, buying a first car is a major step.
1 great solution is to look at cars that are used, which could frequently be had for a fraction of the price of new versions. We came up with 15 used automobiles we believe are the very best for the youthful car buyer on a budget.
To make our list, we concentrated on automobiles which are available on the industry today for under $15,000. We looked for people that are reliable, fun to drive, comfortable, appealing, economical, practical, and first and foremost, secure.
For safety, we checked the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) average front overlap crash test ratings for the cars we selected.
Prices are based on present prices on Autotrader.com and reflect the lowest price we think an adequate example may price, ceramic paint coatings.

1998-2005 Lexus IS300

Starting price: $6,500 and up IIHS crash test evaluation: Great Why buy itWhen started in 1998, the IS300 was assumed to be Lexus' response to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes' C-Class. Though it hasn't been able to overtake its German rivals, the IS300 still manages to provide Lexus brand cache, and build quality in an affordable yet stylish package. For drivers that have to haul more stuff, the IS300 even provides a Sportcross wagon big enough to match most mountain bicycles or other sports equipments. Though the BMW 3-Series has been and still is the best compact sports sedan on the market, the infant Lexus made the record over its Bavarian counterpart chiefly due to concerns about possibly costly repair costs and suspicious electric gremlins which have been proven to plague older BMWs.

2010-Present Chevrolet Equinox

Starting price: $14,000 and up IIHS crash test rating: Great Why buy itThe next creation Chevy Equinox not only lasted the model's sales success, it gave General Motors a topnotch compact crossover SUV to compete against the segment leaders. The Equinox offers a drivers a comfortable and capable crossover in stylish and attractive package. The base powerplant for the Equinox is a 2.4 liter 182 hp lookup motor, while more expensive models come equipped with a choice of strong V6 engine options.

2002-Present Honda CR-V

Starting price: $7,500 and up IIHS crash test rating: Good Why buy it: Since its launch in 1997, the Honda CR-V has been one of the hottest selling mini-SUV's on earth. The CR-V offers an incredible blend of economy, utility and Honda's unbeatable history for reliability. Though some might find the CR-V's smallish four-cylinder engine for a tad underpowered, it is more than acceptable for many daily commutes. Honda has also contained a range of fun features like a collapsible centre console and an in-car picnic table. The CR-V has kept its worth remarkably well, therefore locating a well-preserved example may expect a cost premium.

2002-2007 Toyota Highlander

Starting price: $7,000 and up IIHS crash test rating: Great Why buy itThe Toyota Highlander is ideal for the driver looking for a good crossover SUV. While it doesn't have the off-road capabilities of the Tacoma pickup, the Highlander's four-wheel drive system offers solid bad weather performance and gives drivers a reassuring sense of solidity. Sharing a platform with the pricier Lexus RX, the Highlander asserts the interior build quality observed in its more premium cousin. Environmentally conscious buyers may choose the Highlander Hybrid. But, consumers are headed into unfamiliar territory as aging hybrids and hybrid drive parts may result in expensive repair bills.

2005-2014 Ford Mustang

Starting price: $6,000 and up IIHS crash test rating: Great Why buy itWhen Ford introduced the fifth-generation Mustang in 2005, it reinvigorated a muscle car market which was efficiently on life support. The Mustang creates our list because it gives drivers cheap access to horsepower in a tasteful package with styling which withstands the test of time. Available, using both V-6 and V-8 options, the suggested version is your mid-level Mustang GT with all the 5.0 liter V-8. Though the V-6 is a little more efficient than the 5.0, the performance drop-off and deficiency of GT trimming go-fast goodies makes the bigger motor the optimal option.

2006-Present Honda Fit

Starting price: $7,000 and up IIHS crash test rating: Good Why buy itThe Honda Fit has been an unqualified success across the globe for the automaker. The Fit provides fun, versatility, and reliability in a compact package. Although the Fit premiered in other areas of the world in 2001, the model didn't make it into the US until 2006. The oldest used examples of the car represent the tail end of the first generation model, which was replaced with another generation in 2009. Both generations of the match are powered by Honda's nimble 1.5-liter inline lookup engine producing 109 horsepower at the gen 1 version and 117 from the gen 2 automobiles.